Scenery. — Rail Road, <£c. 9 



which forms the termination of the Mauch Chunk mountain, nearest 

 to the village ; it is called Pisgah, not without some propriety, for 

 the view which it affords, although bounded on every side by near 

 mountain ranges, is highly interesting, and forms a combination al- 

 most unique. 



The rail road on the mountain leading to the mine, and the chute 

 as it is called, by which, at a great angle, the coal wagons descend to 

 the Lehigh, presenting a scene of busy industry, first attract your at- 

 tention, and then the zigzag defile in the mountains, with the rapid 

 river and the serpentine canal, which, at the remoter extremity, are 

 cut off from view by the winding course of the double barrier ; then, 

 another gorge branching off from the first, stretching away to the 

 right, enlivened by a rapid rivulet, and containing on one narrow 

 street, most of the dwelling houses of the village ; then, another turn 

 to the left by which the Lehigh passes ; at your feet are scenes of 

 active labor, in constructing, launching and filling the coal arks ; in 

 casting iron for the mines and rail ways, and in other modes of in- 

 dustry relating, to the local objects of the place ; on all sides, the 

 grand ridges and precipices of wooded mountains, a thousand feet 

 high, grouped in apparent confusion ; and, as we saw them, hung 

 around with the drapery of clouds and mist, sufficiently broken to 

 admit the sunbeams, which tinged the ragged masses of vapor, and 

 the mountain ridges, with iris hues j all these objects presented a 

 combination of grandeur, beauty and variety rarely surpassed. 



THE RAIL-ROAD. THE CHUTE. 



May 14. — As we made two visits to the mine on two successive 

 days, the observations of both days may be blended. 



The rail road commences at the Lehigh river, and ascends at the 

 rate of one foot for three and an half of the slant; the whole ascent to 

 the top of the promontory is two hundred and fifteen feet and the slant is 

 seven hundred feet. This part is for the descent of the coal wagons 

 from the main rail way to the river. There is at the top of the hill, a 

 building, containing the machinery by which the coal wagons are 

 governed in their descent. The most important part of it is a large 

 cylinder or drum, revolving horizontally, and serving to wind the 

 rope or small cable which governs the wagons ; the latter are roll- 

 ed in by hand from the main rail way, and are placed in a correct 

 line of direction with the inclined plane, called the chute ; this is ef- 

 fected by pushing the wagons upon a horizontal circular platform, 



Vol. XIX.— No. L 2 



